April 15, 2008 | Manhattan
It cooled down a bit but was still sunny and delightful on Monday, so one of the other women and I grabbed a bite to eat at a falafel restaurant on Columbus Avenue, then walked through Central Park for about a half hour (the blubs in bloom were spectacular!) before heading to a small hole in the wall spa on the upper west side that advertises inexpensive spa specials. I had a hot stone massage that I rated one of my top all time treatments, although my friend said her therapist was lacking any technique other than rubbing lotion on her back.
We walked over to Rosa Mexicano near the Lincoln Center for our final dinner together. Readers of my blogs have seen the soft chocolate chipotle cakes that I frequently make for events – well this recipe originated at Rosa Mexicano and I’ve been dying to dine there ever since. Fortunately, they didn’t disappoint!
Guacamole en Molcajete – freshly made guacamole with avocado, jalapeno, tomato, onion and cilantro (prepared tableside), served with warm corn tortillas, tortilla chips, salsa pasilla de Oaxaca and salsa de tomatillo y habanero.
Chile Ancho Relleno de Verduras – two ancho chiles filled with sauteed spinach, wild mushrooms and goat cheese over roasted tomato chipotle sauce.
Tacos de Pollo – grilled chicken marinated in ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cloves and cinnamon; topped with slow cooked peppers, served with chihuahua cheese and chile de arbol salsa and served in a cast iron skillet.
Arrachera con Camarones – grilled skirt steak and jumbo shrimp stewed in a roasted tomato-chipotle sauce and topped with queso fresco.
Paraíso de Chocolate – they no longer make this with the chipotle, but the warm chocolate souffle cake and vanilla ice cream with sweet tomatillo dipping sauce still hit the spot.
Tres Leches de la Casa – meringue-covered three milk cake with lime natilla and mango salsa, this is a dessert you shouldn’t pass up if you haven’t had the thrill of trying it.
For a change of pace, I washed my food down with beer, and switched brands (I’m usually a Corona drinker) at the waiter’s suggestion:
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